Monday, May 12, 2014

Supreme polarization

by digby

This article in the New York Times about the polarized Supreme Court is an interesting read. It analyzes how it came to be that we no longer see the sort of ideological shape shifting you used to see among the justices. But this should tell you something about which direction the current "polarization" favors:

“When Kennedy leaves,” Professor Devins said, “it’s going to move the court a whole, whole lot to the left, if the president is a Democrat, or slightly to the right, if it’s a Republican.”

Kennedy's not going anywhere any time soon which means that this is a very conservative court with tremendous power to work its will in a time of stark polarization in the country. What could go wrong?

Also too, I have a sneaking suspicion that the more or less decent treatment of Democratic nominees

Oh, and I'm not buying that the liberals were just as responsible for the polarization as the conservatives. They are ideological these days --- but it was a clear cut case of self-defense. After all, here's how Justice Scalia gets his news:

“I get most of my news, probably, driving back and forth to work, on the radio,” he said. “Talk guys, usually.”

One of the most powerful men in the world is informed by the likes of Hannity and Limbaugh.